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The individual nations are further subdivided into clans. A clan is both family and village, and a clans honor affect all it’s members. Likewise an individual can affect the honor of the entire clan. The family is the foundation of Dokuohtei society and is bound together by a strong sense of reputation, obligation, and responsibility. Each clan has members of all the castes and is presided over by a family of the nobility. The people of Dokuohtei are very concerned about their personal honor, and duels to the death are not uncommon.
Loyalty to the group and to one's superiors is essential and takes precedence over personal feelings.
The Dokuohtei feel an obligation to return favors and gifts. They honor age and tradition. “Losing face,” or being shamed in public, is very undesirable. Gaman (enduring patience) is a respected trait that carries one through personal hardship.

Clothing includes the kimono, a long robe with long sleeves that is wrapped with a special sash (obi). The kimono is worn by women and men, though most commonly by women. The designs in the fabric can be simple or elaborate. Similar to the kimono is the yukata, which is made of lighter fabric and worn in summer.

Samurai

The military caste of the nobility is referred to as Samurai. Samurai are servants of the nobility, but are often of noble blood themselves. In some cases, the Samurai of a clan are only nominally under the control of the aristocracy. Non Samurai are forbidden to carry weapons unless they are also soldiers serving under a Samurai. Samurai that no longer serve the aristocracy are called Ronin, and are considered to be outlaws. Samurai are expected to be well-educated and to practice at least one art form, with poetry and calligraphy being among the most popular. Samurai are expected also to be loyal to their masters, and their masters (or the noble members of their clan) usually arrange marriages for the Samurai to strengthen inter-clan bonds. Samurai are expected to obey the code of conduct known as Bushido, and failure to do so is grounds for them to commit seppuku.
On rare occasions, women can be Samurai. However, maintaining the household is the duty of samurai women, though most are trained in the use of weapons which they can use to defend their honor if necessary. Samurai women are expected to be humble, obedient, and loyal as well as strong and possessed of self-control. They are also well-educated, as it is their duty to keep records, deal with financial matters, and educate the children. Still, women are considered to be second class citizens.
Ninja are actually Samurai by rank, though they are trained in the arts of espionage.
Commoners can, through training, skill, and loyalty, rise to the rank of Samurai.
Samurai lords are known as daimyō.
At times, Samurai have been known to carry out vendettas (katakiuchi), usually against those who have wronged their kin.

Bushido

* Gi (honesty and justice): A samurai deals openly and honestly with others and cleaves to the ideals of justice. Moral decisions do not come in shades of gray, only right and wrong.
* Yu (heroic courage): A samurai never fears to act, but lives life fully and wonderfully. Respect and caution replace fear.
* Jin (compassion): A samurai takes every opportunity to aid others, and creates opportunities when they do not arise. As a powerful individual, a samurai has a responsibility to use that power to help others.
* Rei (polite courtesy): A samurai has no reason to be cruel, and no need to prove his strength. Courtesy distinguishes a samurai from an animal, and reveals one’s true strength.
* Meyo (honor): A samurai’s conscience is the judge of his honor. The decisions he makes and how he carries them out are a reflection of his true nature.
* Makoto (complete sincerity): When a samurai has said that he shall perform an action, it is as good as done. He need not make promises; speaking and doing are as if the same.
* Chugo (duty and loyalty): A samurai feels responsible for his actions and their consequences, and loyal to the people in his care. A samurai’s loyalty to his lord is unquestionable and unquestioning.

Directions:
1. Place potato slices in a bowl of water to remove starchiness.
2. Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in a pot. Add just enough water to cover them. Put pot on stove on high heat and bring to a boil.
3. Once pot is brought to a boil, reduce to medium heat. Add sugar and 1 tablespoon of mirin. Cook for another 10 minutes.
4. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Add the sliced pork. After the pork starts to change color add another 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of mirin. Use a ladle to remove the foam forming at the top.
6. Place a lid to cover the pot only partially so that some steam can escape.
7. When the potatoes are cooked, remove the lid completely.
8. Put the pot on high heat until most of the liquid evaporates. Add any additional sugar, mirin, and/or soy sauce, to taste.
9. Serve with rice.

Directions:
1. Break the eggs into a bowl, beat, and set aside.
2. Bring the dashi shiru to a boil in a large frying pan. Add the onions.
3. When the onions soften, add the chicken. Add soy sauce and mirin.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, add the beaten eggs. Cover and allow the eggs to cook until fluffy and soft but not too firm.
5. Dish cooked rice into four bowls (about the size of a typical cereal bowl). Place the egg mixture on top of the rice. Sprinkle nori on top and serve.

Yields: 4 servings

Hint: Dashi shiru can be made by boiling Bonito Soup stock powder in water according to the directions on the package. In North America, Bonito Soup stock powder, mirin, and nori may be purchased at Asian markets.

Miso-shiru

Directions:
1. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, then cut into 5-millimeter slices (so they are a half-circle shape).
2. Put the potatoes in a pot with the water. Add half of the soup stock powder, and cook on high heat for 7 or 8 minutes.
3. Add the onion and carrot. Cook for another few minutes.
4. Mix in the miso, making sure that it dissolves. Add the rest of the soup stock powder. Turn off the heat just before the soup comes to a boil.

Yields: 4 servings

Hint: Miso is a traditional Japanese ingredient available in several varieties. In North America, miso and Bonito Soup stock powder may be purchased at Asian markets.